Boothbay/Wiscasset track celebrates season of successes
Boothbay/Wiscasset track and field won Class C State Championships in boys’ discus, shot put and the 4x400M relay races June 5. The team celebrated those victories and other team accomplishments during the June 5 season-ending banquet held at Wiscasset Middle High School. The boys’ team placed sixth in the state championship meet and the girls finished 26th. Coaches Nick Scott and Josiah Winchenbach praised all the team members for outstanding seasons and living up to their potential. “It was a really enjoyable season with a fantastic group of kids. They worked hard, and it was a pleasure coming to practice each day,” said Boothbay coach Nick Scott.
The team entered this spring with an experienced boys’ team which included seven seniors and an inexperienced girls’ squad with several freshmen who posted strong seasons. “You enter each season with minimal expectations and hard work results in athletes exceeding those early expectations,” Winchenbach said.
For senior Kayden Ames, Championship Saturday went as expected along with one big surprise. Ames captured his second consecutive state championship in the discus. He has trained for years under the tutelage of his mother Angel Ames, who won three girls’ discus state championships in the 1980s. The championship Kayden did not expect was the shot put. He entered the meet seeded third. “My previous best was 44 (feet) and two other guys had thrown 45, but the weather probably had a big effect,” he said. “I think they under-performed due to the cold and wet conditions.”
The other state championship came in the 4x400M relay. Team members included Bryan Gagnon, Payton Blagdon, Aidric Canada and Austin Trask.
Scott and Winchenbach presented team awards for MVP, most improved, and coaches. Each award was presented to male and female athletes. MVP: Rose Campbell and Bryan Gagnon. Most Improved: Bailey Lewis and Alton King. Coach’s: Emily Gilliam and Austin Trask. Two other special awards were presented: Payton Bladgon received the Hammer Award and Kayden Ames won the Competitor Award.